Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

Many US Presidents have had tense relationships with Congress, but Andrew Johnson was the first to be impeached. At the end of a war, the victor's treatment of their adversary can sow the seeds for a peaceful future or later conflict. As Andrew Johnson attempted to hold the fragile union together, Congress felt he went too far in placating the South and was not protecting the rights of people freed from enslavement. On February 24, 1868, the House of Representatives voted on their belief that Johnson's action had crossed the line into being a crime.

Fig.1 - Andrew Johnson

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson Dates

• March 6, 1867 - Tenure of Office Act enacted
• August 12, 1867 - Johnson removes Stanton from office for the first time
• February 21, 1867 - Johnson removes Stanton from office for the second time
• February 24, 1868 - House of Representatives votes to impeach Johnson
• March 5, 1868 - Andrew Johnson Senate trial begins
• March 16, 1868 - Andrew Johnson acquitted in Senate

Andrew Johnson and Congress

President Andrew Johnson was a Southern Democrat who owned enslaved people. Yet, he held the highest office in the US government when Southern states were readmitted to the union after the Civil War. He had remained loyal to the Union while serving as Senator from Tennessee. However, radical Republicans in control of Congress wished to enact strict changes on Southern states. Johnson's leniency towards the region he came from contrasted with Republican's desire for change, which created a tense relationship.

Lead up to Impeachment

The events leading to Andrew Johnson's impeachment surprised many in Congress. Although the relationship had been tense, no one expected Johnson to defy Congress so strongly. However, Johnson was thoroughly opposed to the nation's future envisioned by Radical Republicans. He frequently vetoed legislation aimed at helping Black people and newly freed slaves.

Johnson's Plan

An idea that Johnson had to get around Congress was the removal of Edwin Stanton from his cabinet position. Edwin Stanton was President Andrew Johnson's Secretary of War. Johnson believed that if he got rid of Stanton, it would be easier to recall the soldiers who were occupying the South. Without the army maintaining martial law and protecting Black Americans, Johnson thought it would be easier to go soft on former Confederates.

Tenure of Office Act

To prevent Johnson's plan in March 1867, the Tenure of Office Act was passed by Congress. The act stated that Congress had to agree if the President wanted to remove a member of their Cabinet. Congress created the act specifically due to their tense relationship with Johnson. Radical Republicans believed that Stanton was one of their only allies in the Johnson administration.

First Attempt to Fire Stanton

Despite the new act, Johnson tried to fire Stanton twice. The first time was in August 1867. This did not succeed because Congress took a recess before the Senate could take up the issue. Johnson suspended Stanton and replaced him. Once Congress resumed, they halted his attempt and returned Stanton to office.